Land Prices Are Rising Across Africa

Across Africa, land has become one of the fastest-growing investments. Countries like Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, South Africa, Zambia, and Nigeria have seen rapid growth in demand from both locals and the diaspora.
But many buyers face a painful learning curve:
unexpected fees, hidden charges, survey expenses, and undisclosed taxes.

Understanding these costs is the key to avoiding overpayment and making a confident investment.

‍

1. Common Costs When Buying Land in Africa

Across most African countries, expect the following standard fees:

a) Land Purchase Price

The basic cost, depending on:

location
availability of utilities
road access
development level
title type (freehold, leasehold, mailo, customary)

Prices vary widely:

Nairobi, Kenya: high urban prices
Kigali, Rwanda: premium due to planning laws
Accra, Ghana: rising rapidly
Kampala, Uganda: extremely dynamic and mixed

b) Land Title Search / Verification Fees

This step is non-negotiable.
Checks include:

authenticity of the title
encumbrances (debts or caveats)
disputes or court cases
true ownership

LegitPlot handles this process on your behalf:
Verify your land through LegitPlot

c) Surveyor & Boundary Opening Fees

African countries require licensed surveyors for:

opening boundaries
marking coordinates
confirming plot sizes
resolving neighbor disputes

Expect variations per country, but costs are predictable.

d) Stamp Duty & Government Taxes

Most African countries charge 1%–3% of the land value as stamp duty or transfer tax.Always budget for this upfront.

🇺🇬 Zooming In: What Ugandan Buyers Must Pay

Uganda’s land system is unique due to the co-existence of Mailo, Freehold, Leasehold, and Customary titles.

Here’s what to expect:

1. Title Search Fees (Ministry of Lands)

A standard search verifies:

true owner
encumbrances
mortgage status
plot history
whether the title is genuine

LegitPlot performs this step before listing any property, saving you time and reducing risk.
Explore How LegitPlot Verifies Listings here

2. Surveyor Fees

Expect costs for:

boundary opening
landmark placement
survey report
resurveying where needed

Ranges vary depending on:

property size
terrain
travel distance

3. Stamp Duty (1%)

Uganda’s URA charges 1% of purchase value, which must be paid before transferring ownership.

4. Agreement Drafting & Legal Fees

A standard sale agreement should be drafted by a lawyer or a registered conveyancer.LegitPlot can help connect buyers with vetted legal teams.

5. Land Transfer Fees

These include:

assessment fees
title printing
registration
processing
transfer fees

Conclusion

Investing in land across Africa — and especially in Uganda — is one of the safest long-term wealth strategies. But understanding hidden costs ensures you don’t get surprised or scammed.

Let LegitPlot walk you through each step confidently.
👉 Contact the LegitPlot team

Back to Insights

The Real Cost of Buying Land in Africa (And What Ugandan Buyers Should Expect)